E3 2021 will go ahead as an online-only event, organiser the ESA has confirmed. The digital show will stretch across three days, beginning on the 12th June and ending on the 15th June. And, contrary to some recent rumours, E3 2021 won't be locked behind any kind of paywall. The ESA stresses that it'll be free for everyone.
The following publishers will be present during E3 2021 in some capacity:
- Nintendo
- Xbox
- Capcom
- Konami
- Ubisoft
- Take-Two Interactive
- Warner Bros. Games
- Koch Media
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sony isn't on the list. It's obviously still subject to change, but we're not betting on the Japanese giant's cooperation. Let's not forget that Sony made a point of stepping away from E3 back in 2019, as the company decided that it would be hosting its own events instead. Sony was set to repeat this process in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to E3 last year anyway. In any case, we've reached out to Sony for comment on the situation.
As for what we can actually expect from E3 2021, it sounds like we'll be getting the usual hype parade, only in a more fitting digital format. According to the official press release, we can still expect "major reveals". The ESA also hopes to "celebrate E3 2022 in person".
Are you looking forward to E3 2021? What are your hopes for this digital event? Do you think Sony could still show up? Get some early predictions started in the comments section below.
Comments 27
Yeah, I don't think anybody expected Sony to be there.
Good to see this happening anyway!
Not exactly a surprise. Knowing Sony they'll probably have a State of Play a few weeks or so before E3.
Konami being there can go one of three ways
Either they reveal some disposable multiplatform sports game (60%), a hacked up entry in one of their beloved series (39%), or possibly something we actually want (1%)
@lolwhatno Bandai Namco isn't part of this lineup so that's extremely unlikely
If Elden Ring is not there Reddit will riot. Hope to see some new original ips also.
I’m hoping for SEGA to join in for Sonic’s 30th anniversary.
Sony weren't at E3 2019 so this isn't a surprise.
Not surprised. Sony will probably have a State of Play right before or during E3. With Ratchet coming out right before that will be their main focus.
The State of Play will probably talk about Kena, and some new surprises/new games.
Capcom come on give me dragon dogma 2 👑.and more onimusha games.onimusha warlords is excellent.word up son
A bit rubbish that Sony aren’t there considering Nintendo are. It’s possible to do a video presentation while still within the E3 hype-o-sphere.
Fully digital should be the future for this event anyway. Disappointing to see Sony won't be there, but Microsoft, Nintendo, and Capcom are a big enough presence for me to look forward to this (assuming they actually have new stuff to show).
Fingers crossed for SMT V and Ace Attorney
Realistically Sony don’t need to pay money to align their YouTube broadcast with E3 apart for goodwill with all the other publishers.
Also I wonder if they really want to promise marvels when no release date these days is certain. Better to be under their own schedule when they’re confident they have something to say.
I suppose better this than Summer Game Fest painfully stretching the news out over 3 months. No more aquisitions though please Microsoft.
Sony will probably have an event sometime before or after this, but i doubt it will be in the same week. Part of skipping E3 is to avoid their news being lost among the scrum
Sony can just do there own online show/state of play the same week and it will be just like theyre there lol
Sony can't be expected to attend E3, they've got a State of Play to plan. That PS5-exclusive t-shirt in GTA V isn't going to announce itself
A couple of days a go people were saying E3 was worthless and that it should just disappear.... now, E3 is "cool" again because some big publishes are going to be there, figures.... It would be funny if we find out that E3 is actually paying all these publishers to be there. I do believe E3 will just die eventually, sooner than later...
Anyhow, at the end of day it doesn't matter....PS will have its own gaming digital event akin to the Future of Gaming like the one they had last year (they will probably call it different this time), which was pretty successful in its own.
Also, Bandai Namco not being there means no Elden Ring's news.... got to watch their own event for that, which is perfectly fine with me.
Wasn't Sony's last E3 where they had the TLOU2 barn and then moved everyone to the GOT style theatre, both with live music?
This normally wouldn't be a story exept that Nintendo who has their own Nintendo direct which inspired Sony to make their own will be there so it kind of makes Sony look bad and well too high class and sophisticated to be seen in E3.
I don't remember how I felt last year but I think they should come back for 2021. They probably need to.
As everyone prolly should know, Sony doesn't need E3 but E3 needs Sony. The biggest gaming event by views last year was Sony's "The future of Gaming" and this year will be the same, no brainer, obviously they'll keep the same approach with a stand alone event which is cheaper and they can choose their own schedule. Sony and the ESA are in bad terms so I don't expect them to return any time soon.
I kind of wish Sony and Nintendo could coordinate to both not attend E3 anymore.
Those are the only conferences people ever actually want to watch.
I liked the good old days when Sony attended E3, gamescom, tgs and had the playstation experience all in the same year!
I'm still holding out that someday E3 will work like PlayStation Home, a virtual 3D expo with live presentations, where players can watch, interact and participate. Time for a change E3; it ain't the 90's anymore.
Meh... don't care about this corporate american run show.
E3 just die already, you're no longer relevant
I never expected Sony to show up after them skipping E3 2019, and were planning to also miss E3 2020 before it got canceled.
I would start doing some predictions for what's being shown off this year, but would rather keep myself in the dark and be more surprised.
no suprise that Sony is sikpping E3 again(they skiped E3 2019 and now this E3)problaby Sony is gonna do a State of Play to showcase the games coming to PS4/PS5 in the second half of 2021/early 2022.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...